The questioning of Julian Assange by Swedish prosecutors at the Ecuadorean embassy in London has been postponed until mid-November.
Ecuador’s attorney general said on Wednesday that the long-awaited interview, due to take place on Monday, would be delayed until 14 November to ensure that Assange’s legal team could attend.
Assange has been confined to the embassy since June 2012, when he sought and was granted asylum by Ecuador. He is wanted for questioning by Sweden over an allegation of rape in August 2010, which he denies. The Australian WikiLeaks founder has said he fears he could be transferred to the US to face potential espionage charges arising from WikiLeaks’ publishing activities.
Swedish prosecutors announced last month that the two countries, which had been locked in stalemate over arrangements for the interview, had finally agreed a date.
The interview will be conducted by an Ecuadorean prosecutor, based on a list of questions from the Swedish chief prosecutor and a police investigator, who will be present. The Ecuadorean will later report the findings to Sweden.
A spokesman for Assange’s legal team said: “The attorney general’s office of Ecuador considered that a deferment was necessary to ensure the presence of Mr Assange’s attorneys.”
